Category: RPV

February 4, 2016 – Richmond, VA – The Republican Party of Virginia’s (RPV) issued the following statement following the Virginia State Board of Election’s decision to support our request to rescind the Statement of Affiliation:

“With the conversation about the Statement of Affiliation behind us, we can fully turn our attention to the pressing matter at hand: the March 1 GOP Primary,” said RPV Chairman John Whitbeck. “RPV is pleased that the State Board of Elections voted to rescind the Statement of Affiliation and we look forward to record turnout and tremendous enthusiasm for our candidates come Super Tuesday.”

State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia Votes to Rescind Statement of Affiliation

January 30, 2016 – Richmond, VA – The Republican Party of Virginia’s (RPV) State Central Committee (SCC) voted unanimously by acclimation this afternoon to rescind the Statement of Affiliation tied to the voting in the Republican Primary on March 1, 2016.

The SCC originally had approved the statement in September 2015, but the Democrat-controlled State Board of Elections altered and adopted a form – created by the Department of Elections – that retained only 9 of the original 47 words written and adopted by the SCC. Critically, McAuliffe’s Department of Elections replaced GOP branding on the original form with intimidating language meant to dampen turnout. Further, Attorney General Mark Herring compounded the problem with the addition of confusing legal guidance that would have made the day of the Republican Presidential Primary a logistical nightmare.

The SCC motion made clear that it was motivated not by any disagreement about the Party’s right of free association under the First Amendment to the US Constitution, but in recognition that Governor Terry McAuliffe’s administration and Attorney General Herring had purposely created a situation designed to confuse voters intending to participate in the March 1 Republican Presidential Primary.

RPV Chairman John Whitbeck fully supported the SCC’s decision. “Hillary Clinton’s campaign is imploding and Democrats are poised to potentially nominate an admitted socialist. Now more than ever, Virginia will determine the future of Country, as voters will look to the Republican Party as the future of the Presidency. In light of this, we must put this issue to rest once and for all and move forward with the business of winning the White House in 2016.”

January 14, 2016 – Richmond, VA – The Republican Party of Virginia issued the following statement with the news of Congressman Scott Rigell’s retirement:

Congressmen like Scott Rigell are hard to come by. Throughout his career, Scott Rigell wasn’t just committed to our shared conservative values, he has also been committed to improving our politics, and in so doing, improving our country.

Scott has been a tireless advocate for Hampton Roads, especially our men and women in uniform. There’s no greater testament to his hard work than the number of Gold Star families who supported him during his 3 campaigns.

Scott will be sorely missed in Virginia politics and we sincerely thank him for his service to our country and Commonwealth. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

January 14, 2016 – Richmond, VA – The Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia, John Findlay, issued the following statement in regards to the decision today by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to support the State Board of Elections’ approval of the GOP Statement of Affiliation:

“As we noted earlier yesterday, Political parties have a right to determine how they nominate the candidates who represent them. The Republican Party of Virginia has a duty to defend its First Amendment right to free association and we are very pleased that the Court has denied the preliminary injunction as we expected.

This Statement of Affiliation isn’t about any one campaign or not welcoming more voters to the GOP Big Tent. We welcome all Virginians who want smaller, smarter government and a turn away from excessive government regulation in our tax code and in health care.”